<article>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-501632" name="segment-501632" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2></h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p>
<p>
<p><p><i>Follow us on <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/saysdotcom/">Instagram</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@saysdotcom">TikTok</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VZzynzi6RGJG0QbRfy3O">WhatsApp</a>&nbsp;for the latest stories and breaking news.</i></p>
</p>
</p>
</p>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-501633" name="segment-501633" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>It was a cold morning when I discovered my hamster frozen with its teeth clenched around its cage</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p>The unfortunate day I discovered Hooey died was a sad one, the 4th of July. We held a burial service for him, and my sister made a &#8216;gravestone&#8217; for him. </p>
<p>With a marker pen, she wrote his name and the years he was alive on half a transparent CD cover and stuck it into the ground where we buried him.</p>
<p><b>But&#8230; was Hooey truly dead? Or could he have just been &#8216;hibernating&#8217;?&nbsp;</b></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="image">
<div class="">
<div class="single-image list-unstyled">
<div class="single-image-wrap">
                    <a href="https://images.says.com/uploads/story_source/source_image/1218158/a832.jpg" target="" class="imgwrap colorbox-image cboxElement" title="Image for illustration purposes only." rel="segment-810 noopener"><br />
                      <img decoding="async" class="source-img-1218158" alt="Image for illustration purposes only." src="https://images.says.com/uploads/story_source/source_image/1218158/a832.jpg"> </a>
                </div>
<p class="img-caption">Image for illustration purposes only.</p>
<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theprogress.com/community/chilliwack-veterinarian-stubbles-across-childs-hamster-memorial-on-trail-1907086" rel="noopener">Dr Leslie Ann Ross/The Chilliwack Progress</a></small>
            </div>
</p></div>
</p></div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-501637" name="segment-501637" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>Decades later, I&#8217;ve discovered that certain hamster types, such as Siberian and dwarf hamsters, actually &#8216;hibernate&#8217; in the wild to survive colder climates</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p><b>Whether your pet hamster actually does this or not depends on the temperature you maintain in your home. </b></p>
<p>Veterinary nurse Leah Feusse told <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.thedodo.com/dodowell/do-hamsters-hibernate">The Dodo</a>, &#8220;Pet hamsters will begin &#8216;hibernating&#8217; if the temperature of their habitat drops below 65ºF (18ºC) for more than 24 hours.&#8221;</p>
<p>For the most part, &#8220;<b>pet hamsters don&#8217;t usually hibernate</b> when they&#8217;re used to living in comfortable temperatures that don&#8217;t change much,&#8221; according to The Dodo.</p>
<p>In other words,<b> it&#8217;s </b><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://woodgreen.org.uk/pet-advice/hamster/do-hamsters-hibernate-and-what-is-torpor/"><b>dangerous for your pet</b></a><b> hamster to &#8216;hibernate&#8217;</b>, or to use the more correct term — torpor. </p>
<p>Torpor is an involuntary state of reduced mental or motor activity. It&#8217;s&nbsp;a survival tactic automatically triggered when an animal gets too cold or has limited access to food and water.<b></b></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="image">
<div class="">
<div class="single-image list-unstyled">
<div class="single-image-wrap">
                    <a href="https://images.says.com/uploads/story_source/source_image/1218137/null" target="" class="imgwrap colorbox-image cboxElement" title="" rel="segment-810 noopener"><br />
                      <img decoding="async" class="source-img-1218137" alt="" src="https://images.says.com/uploads/story_source/source_image/1218137/null"> </a>
                </div>
<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/a-hamster-in-a-house-with-a-pine-cone-r149yvhlJ4Q" rel="noopener">Sunira Moses/Unsplash</a></small>
            </div>
</p></div>
</p></div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-501646" name="segment-501646" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>Here&#8217;s how to tell if your hamster is in torpor:</p>
<p>I. Observe it closely for signs of life — these may include minor twitching, a gentle jerk or tremble, or slowed-down breathing</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p>Despite appearing motionless and &#8216;dead&#8217;, hamsters in a torpid state usually exhibit signs of life. You can lightly stroke their paw or whiskers, which might elicit a response. Watch their chest or abdomen closely for signs of breathing. </p>
<p>&#8220;When &#8216;hibernating&#8217;, <b>a hamster can slow their breathing down to only one breath every two minutes, so be patient.</b> You can also feel their ribcage, just above their elbows, for a heartbeat,&#8221; Feusse&nbsp;explains.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="image">
<div class="">
<div class="single-image list-unstyled">
<div class="single-image-wrap">
                    <a href="https://images.says.com/uploads/story_source/source_image/1218138/null" target="" class="imgwrap colorbox-image cboxElement" title="" rel="segment-810 noopener"><br />
                      <img decoding="async" class="source-img-1218138" alt="" src="https://images.says.com/uploads/story_source/source_image/1218138/null"> </a>
                </div>
<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/selective-focus-photography-of-mouse-9_V3wHZaS68" rel="noopener">Kong Jun/Unsplash</a></small>
            </div>
</p></div>
</p></div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-501653" name="segment-501653" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>2. Check its body temperature</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p>Despite a hamster&#8217;s body temperature dropping during torpor and appearing mostly cold and lifeless, there could still be a faint indication of warmth.</p>
<p>Touch your hamster gently to check if it is a tiny bit warm. Dead hamsters will be stone cold. (<i>Hooey was found stone cold, so I guess it was his time to go after all. RIP, Hooey. T.T &lt;3</i>).<b></b></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-501655" name="segment-501655" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>3. Check if your pet hamster&#8217;s body is limp or stiff</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p><b><u>Do this as a last resort</u> </b>if you really can&#8217;t tell if your hamster is dead or in a torpid state, as <b><u>moving your hamster could cause it stress or harm its health</u></b>.</p>
<p>If you pick it up in a torpid state, its body will be limp. On the other hand, a deceased hamster will be completely stiff as it undergoes rigor mortis, a process where the muscles and joints stiffen after a couple of hours of death.</p>
<p><b>Make sure that you handle this step with care and sensitivity</b>, as the health of your hamster should be your number one priority.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="image">
<div class="">
<div class="single-image list-unstyled">
<div class="single-image-wrap">
                    <a href="https://images.says.com/uploads/story_source/source_image/1218139/null" target="" class="imgwrap colorbox-image cboxElement" title="" rel="segment-810 noopener"><br />
                      <img decoding="async" class="source-img-1218139" alt="" src="https://images.says.com/uploads/story_source/source_image/1218139/null"> </a>
                </div>
<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://hamsterscape.nl/en/2020/08/19/hibernation-or-torpor/" rel="noopener">Hamsterscape</a></small>
            </div>
</p></div>
</p></div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-501661" name="segment-501661" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>If you have determined that your pet hamster is in torpor, this suggests that you need to adjust its habitat</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p>In the wild, when a hamster enters a state of torpor, it will typically last two to three days. However, in more rigid conditions, it could last a week. </p>
<p><b>In a domestic situation, your pet hamster <u>should only be in torpor for 24 hours.</u></b> <b>Anything longer may lead to your pet&#8217;s starvation or dehydration. </b>That&#8217;s why it&#8217;s important to closely monitor your hamster&#8217;s needs.</p>
<p>One way to safely revive your pet is to increase the temperature of its environment with body warmth. According to <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://petsvills.com/do-hamsters-hibernate/">Pets Vills</a>, you can do this by gently picking up your hamster and holding it close to your body for warmth for 30 minutes. </p>
<p>Alternatively, you can use a hot water bottle filled with hot water (not boiling). Wrap it in a towel or cloth and place it near your pet to transfer heat.&nbsp;</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-501662" name="segment-501662" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>Just remember that when you&#8217;re warming your pet, do it gradually and gently</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p>You&#8217;ll want to ensure that its temperature slowly adjusts. <b>Any sudden changes in temperature may cause stress or be harmful to your pet hamster.</p>
<p></b>Also, be mindful that if your hamster has entered a state of torpor, it&#8217;s an indication that its environment needs to be adjusted.<br /><b></b></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p><i><b>Sources: </b></i><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.thedodo.com/dodowell/do-hamsters-hibernate"><i><b></b>The Dodo</i></a><i>, </i><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://petsvills.com/do-hamsters-hibernate/"><i>Pets Vills<b></b></i></a><i></i></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-501700" name="segment-501700" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>Read more fun facts on SAYS:</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://storage.googleapis.com/says_image_uploader/uploads/temp/Your_paragraph_text__93_.png&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/fun/what-are-dragon-chickens" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/fun/what-are-dragon-chickens" class="ga-curator-related">Ever Seen A Dragon Chicken Before? They&#8217;re Known For Their Large Feet &#038; Cost Up To RM1.9K</a></h6>
<p>Apparently, they&#8217;re delicious!</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://images.says.com/uploads/story/cover_image/66343/f07a.jpg&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/fun/people-are-now-finding-out-how-bird-feathers-grow" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/fun/people-are-now-finding-out-how-bird-feathers-grow" class="ga-curator-related">People Are Finding Out How Bird Feathers Grow &#038; This Is Not Something I Needed To Know</a></h6>
<p>&#8220;Feather unboxing.&#8221;</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://images.says.com/uploads/story/cover_image/63115/0cb4.jpg&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/lifestyle/til-millipedes-are-poisonous" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/lifestyle/til-millipedes-are-poisonous" class="ga-curator-related">Did You Know: Millipedes Can Burn You</a></h6>
<p>Thinking of all the times we played with millipedes when we were children.</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://images.says.com/uploads/story/cover_image/66847/9678.jpg&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/lifestyle/flamingos-aren-t-born-pink" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/lifestyle/flamingos-aren-t-born-pink" class="ga-curator-related">Did You Know: Flamingos Aren&#8217;t Born With Their Iconic Pink Colour</a></h6>
<p>Yep, they are born with some pretty standard grey feathers. So, how on earth do they end up looking like a walking sunset?</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://images.says.com/uploads/story/cover_image/54019/0675.jpg&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/fun/people-are-discovering-where-birds-ears-are-located" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/fun/people-are-discovering-where-birds-ears-are-located" class="ga-curator-related">People Are Discovering Where Birds&#8217; Ears Are Located And Now I Can&#8217;t Unsee Them</a></h6>
<p>Wash my eyes with soap pls.</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</article>


Did You Know: Hamsters That Appear To Be Dead May Sometimes Just Be 'Hibernating'

Did You Know: Hamsters That Appear To Be Dead May Sometimes Just Be ‘Hibernating’